Ringling College "Collaboratory" Completes General

SARASOTA, FLA., Nov. 10, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Collaboratory at the Ringling College of Art and Design announced today the successful completion of their General Motors Speed Form Partnership Project. The Ringling College Collaboratory is an initiative that guarantees the opportunity for real-world, client-based creative experiential learning and work experience to students to enhance their employability and potential for success after graduation. The GM-Ringling Speed Form Project mentored students to expand their knowledge and understanding of the vehicle development process and the great careers available in the field of automotive design. The focus of the program centers on car design, sculpture, graphics, rendering and animation with the goal of highlighting Ringling College student talent across multiple disciplines with the potential to join the GM design team in a full-time capacity in the future.

"The collaboration with a global organization like General Motors Design is a great example of the impact art and design, when married with technology and engineering, can significantly impact and improve a company's approach to new and innovative business practices," said Cynthia L. Gravino, Ringling College Associate Vice President of Collaborative Enterprises. "Ringling College students, through this partnership with GM, have been given the opportunity to use the creative process in an environment that is outside the "norm" for an art and design student. Our students are so thrilled to have this kind of transformative educational opportunity."

The GM Speed Form Partnership Project students were given hand-on experiential learning about the principles of line, form, proportion and scale in relation to vehicle design. Students began by developing storyboards outlining their speed form design proposals, including preliminary sketches. Professional GM designers served as mentors to guide students through each phase, including the use of highly specialized software, to 3D render and digitally sculpt models of their concepts. The project culminated in a one-fifth scale clay model from those digital speed form designs.

"It's hard to put into words how deeply we value the opportunity for Ringling students to work side-by-side with the visionaries at GM and learn from their accomplished team," said Ringling College of Art and Design president Dr. Larry R. Thompson. "When you consider the level of talent responsible for GM's award-winning and game-changing cars, trucks and crossovers, this level of access for our students serves as an important foundation for future success."

The Ringling College Collaboratory is an initiative developed by Ringling College in partnership with The Patterson Foundation. Beginning in the fall semester of 2015, the 'Collaboratory Commitment' guarantees every entering Ringling College experiential learning and work experience opportunities prior to graduation.

About Ringling College of Art and Design

Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offering the Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in 13 disciplines: Advertising Design, Computer Animation, Film, Fine Arts, Game Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Motion Design, Photography & Imaging, Creative Writing (pending SACSOC approval), Critical and Visual Studies and a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Business of Art & Design. Located in Sarasota on Florida's Gulf Coast, the picturesque 48-acre campus now includes more than 110 buildings, and enrolls nearly 1,300 students from 44 states and 54 countries. It is recognized as being among the best and most innovative visual arts colleges in the United States as well as a leader in the use of technology in the arts. Visit the Ringling College website , or follow Ringling College on Facebook and Twitter for more news and information.

About GM Global Design:

General Motors Design is the first and largest automotive OEM design function, with a network of 10 Design Centers worldwide in seven countries. More than 2,500 men and women are responsible for the design development of every GM concept and production car and truck globally. The Design Centers are located in the United States, Germany, Korea, China, Australia, Brazil and India. For more information and career opportunities visit http://www.gm.com .

About The Patterson Foundation

The Patterson Foundation works with partners to accelerate positive change by sharing fresh perspectives on strategy, contributing new ideas and providing resources. We believe the act of creative collaboration produces results and knowledge that can be applied more broadly to transcend any single act of philanthropy. For more information, please visit www.thepattersonfoundation.org .

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Ringling College of Art and Design Rich Schineller Phone: 941 780 8100 Stephanie Lederer Phone: 941 309 4110